A first-of-its-kind option for farmers is coming to the South Valley to improve how they process their crops. The Delicious New Mexico Aggregation Center, or DMAC, behind the South Valley Economic Development Center, is scheduled to open next month, on September 18.
The construction is still ongoing; however, once it’s done, it will give farmers an easier way to get their crops ready for sale and remove barriers.
DMCA Operations Manager Luis Nunez says the problem is that 30 percent of farmers actually have the power to wash their produce that comes from the field. And so, DMCA will serve as a one-stop shop for farmers to drop off their produce for cleaning, preparation, packaging, and distribution.
The reason behind the DMAC coming into being is to create greater access for farmers and communities, and to act as a bridge to fill the gap between the two.
The DMCA has partnered up with Delicious New Mexico, the Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, and the South Valley Economic Development Center.
For RGCDC Operations Director Sean Humphrey, the center will help farmers not only by cleaning their aggregation but also by selling it to markets.
DMCA Gives Farmers An Opportunity
Farmers will now have the option to either pick their crops back up once they’re packaged and ready to be sold, schedule them for delivery, or sell their fruits and veggies to DMAC, who will then sell them to the community, like schools and senior centers.
Humphrey said the markets will be able to offer them money to plant the crops they need. Even if DMAC charges farmers for the aggregation service, their ultimate goal is to put more money back into farmers’ hands.
Nunez clarified that the small fee they are asking farmers to pay will give them a way to process their produce. The fee is based on the number of pounds given by how much product farmers brought to them.
DMAC will give preference to farmers in the South Valley, but they will service the whole state. Pickup and delivery will also be offered to farmers who can’t safely transport the products themselves.
RGCDC Finance and Programs Director Briana Smith says confidently that their facility will be able to reach a farmer residing in Mora, or as far south as they have to go to pick up, and then bring them back to the facility.
With the opening approaching, facility leaders say their long-term goal will be to open more of these centers across the state.
For farmers who are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact RGCDC at 505-217-2473.
